What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hyoo·guh) is defined as “the feeling of togetherness, relaxation, indulgence, presence, and comfort. The true essence of hygge is the pursuit of everyday happiness. It’s basically like a hug, just without the physical touch,” as stated by Meik Wiking. Wiking is the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living and the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute. The word written account of “hygge” first appeared in the early 1800s derived from a Norwegian word for “well-being”. In its simplest form, hygge is the pursuit of well-being and comfort. This comes about most importantly during the winter season when you are spending more and more time at home, away from the cold outside. And for anyone suffering during this quarantine/lockdown season, hygge might be just what you need to create a welcoming space inside.

The concept of hygge has become a marketable commodity. But in its true essence, hygge is a feeling and cannot be bought. Anything you’re being sold with the title “hygge” like a hygge blanket or hygge candle is almost the antithesis of this way of being. Hygge is something you find within yourself brought about by key moods of peace and happiness. If you’re thinking you can buy it, you’ve missed the point entirely. So throughout this post remember, if you don’t have something on hand, just skip to a different part as you’re sure to find something you can create from what you already have at home.

The trend of hygge living was always something present in Scandinavian people’s hearts and minds but has caught on worldwide in the last few years. The Brits were the first ones to grasp onto this idea as a means of comfort amid Brexit’s stress as a way of soothing themselves. 

Start by Bathing in Light

One of the easiest things to do to practice Hygge living is bathing in natural light. During the winter months, natural light is hard to come by and often only lasts for a few hours. Taking time out of your day to enjoy those precious moments in the sun is super important. It’s been proven that sunlight is essential for happiness and increases your mood and also your productivity. Sunlight also helps our body produce vitamin D and supports our immune system. Many Scandinavian people will even go to “light cafes” during the winter months. Inside there are light lamps set up to mirror the effects of the sun. This is for people who cannot find time outside of their busy workdays to get out to soak under the real sun.

To have a bath in sunlight, find the place in your home, which gets the most light. Place a comfy chair or cushion in that area. Even if you have to work during these hours, you can hopefully bring your laptop with you. That way you can still work while sitting in the natural light. But your time is even better spent reading a book or just relaxing. 

To better enhance the natural light in your home, make sure to move large pieces of furniture away from the windows. This is to ensure they don’t block out any of that precious light. Open the blinds even if it means getting awkward glances from your noisy neighbours. You can also place mirrors opposite the windows, which helps reflect the light into the room.

Fill Your Space with Soft Textiles

There is nothing better to slip into to feel all warm and cozy than a beautiful, soft textile. Curling up in comfortable, quilted blanket is like that feeling of pure joy. Feel like you’ve entered a cocoon. Wool, fur, and cashmere are the best fabrics to feel like you’ve been wrapped up in a warm hug. But if you have a favourite sweater that gives you the same feeling, then go and jump right into that. Even a pair of woolly socks will warm you right up after coming in from the cold. Ask around, your grandparents especially might have an old quilted blanket they are dying to get rid of. And any warm memories which come with it are just a bonus!

Enjoy the Outdoors

There is a famous Norwegian phrase that says, “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær” which translates to “there is no bad weather, only bad clothes!” I am a colossal winter wimp and never thought I could truly enjoy being outside when it was cold out. But on my last trip to Sweden at Christmas, I was determined to embrace this idea of enjoying the outdoors. Wool and cashmere undergarments were vital in preparing for these long days outside in Stockholm’s cold, dark streets. And it was completely worth it. There were a few rare moments when I had to escape inside to a cafe, but for the most part, dressing appropriately meant I could enjoy every hour of the day and make the most of my time I had there. 

For our purposes, taking a long walk in nature is a great way to get out and see the sun. Being inside all day makes you in need of some serious fresh air. 2020 has been a year of being inside, which has proven to be very tough for our mental health and well-being. Many of us enjoyed greatly meeting up with friends for outdoor gatherings in the summer, but there is no reason not to continue this trend in the winter too. Just dress for the part, and you’ll be able to spend some quality time outside with those you love. It’s amazing how calming a walk in the woods can be to restore your sense of peace.

Bring the Outside In

While wandering outside on one of your walks, take some time to forage for evergreens. Bringing the outdoors inside fills the air with fresh scents and creates a welcoming environment. We crave the outdoors as humans, but in the winter not even the best winter coat will keep us warm forever. Try to find pine cones, textured wooden branches, ivy and even fir needles to bring inside. With these you can create a little swag or bouquet, making your home feel like a small indoor oasis.

Care for some House Plants

Caring for house plants has been one of the most outstanding achievements of my 2020 year. It’s amazing how you come to love them like they are an extension of your home. A famous NASA study recommended having one air-filtering plant for every 100 sq ft in the house. This was said to improve not only the air quality in the home but also your health.

Instead of just going out to buy some plants, find that one friend we all have has a green thumb. You can always ask them to make a cutting from one of their larger plants. Not only is this free, but it’s also a great way to connect with people through their love of plants. They can provide endless advice on how to care for the plant. Plus, it’s like a relative to theirs and makes you feel like you have a connection between both households. The best plants for air purifications are Devil’s Ivy, Dwarf Date Palm, Philodendron, Rubber plants, Boston Fern, Areca palms, Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Aloe Vera.

Light a Fire

Since ancient times, the hearth has been one of the most primitive of human comforts. It is where people would go to escape the cold, cook and gather when it got dark. There is something about sitting around the warm glow of the fire, listening to the crackle and pop of the wood that makes you feel comforted in some primal way. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in the home, this is the time to enjoy it.

If you don’t, even a fake fireplace will give you a much similar effect, minus the smell. I have the smallest little portable fireplace heater, and it’s incredible how when I bring it into the room, everything just immediately feels that much cozier! If you have a fake fireplace, add some real wood as decoration to bring those scents of fresh-cut wood into the home. Even a few scavenged branches from the forest stacked in a box really make the house feel homey.

Surround Your Home in Candlelight

If you don’t have a real or fake fireplace and don’t plan on buying anything new, you’d be amazed how candlelight provides such a similar experience. Danes are said to burn more candles per year than anywhere else in the world. Apparently, they are responsible for burning 3.5kg of candles a year! But there clearly is a reason as to why…

Candles are another great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. When I was in Sweden, it was amazing how walking into anyone’s home; everyone would go about lighting all their candles as soon as they got inside. Like it was just an instinct. Restaurants and hotels were covered in candles; hidden away in the darkest corner; you’d still find a candle gently burning.

The best candles to burn in the home are made of soy and beeswax instead of paraffin. Paraffin releases toxins into the air, which is pretty much the opposite of what we are trying to achieve. Soy and beeswax also burn for much longer. If you have small children and are afraid of the fire hazard, small battery-operated candles are surprisingly realistic and make a very similar impact on the room’s atmosphere.

Spread Essential Oils

Scents are tied to our emotions. Releasing some of these scents into the air can trigger your memories as well as relax you into a place of calm. To spread essential oils around your home you can always use an essential oil diffuser. But if you don’t already own an essential oil diffuser, there are so many creative DIY methods of infusing essential oils into the air.

The best oil for calmness is lavender. If you have insomnia, try chamomile and sandalwood. For anxiety, try sage. During these depressive COVID times, a little bit of peppermint or jasmine will lift your mood. To relax, try cinnamon or to boost your energy, add in some citrus and rosemary!

Soak Your Stress Away at Bathtime

Another great place to use essential oils without buying a diffuser is inside the bath. For me, bathtime is the absolute epitome of hygge living. I turn off all the lights and burn some candles. I use rose oil for a luxurious smell that fills the room. Epsom salts added to the water relaxed tense muscles, and you seem to melt into the water. Put on some soothing music to allow yourself to disconnect and be in your own body.

If you’re into face masks, this is a great time to use one as the warm steam from the water opens up your pores. This will allow the mask’s moisturizing properties to go deeper into the skin. Bring up your favourite book and use this time to get off your phone and to get back into reading. A lovely herbal tea paired alongside the bath is the icing on the cake!

Find Your Warm Textures

When it’s cold inside, we seek out beautiful, warm textures. This is a time to perhaps redecorate your home by moving around objects you might already have. Surfaces like wood, rattan, pottery, white porcelain and anything made of natural materials help strengthen that connection to the outside world.

Don’t Dress to Impress

Do you have a tattered old pair of pants which you’d never be caught dead wearing in public but are your ABSOLUTE favourite pair? Slipping into them brings about the immediate feeling of comfort. Well, these old pants are the definition of hygge. The Danes even have a word for them. They are called “Hyggebukser” aka comfortable pants. If you’ve ever needed an excuse not to throw out that time-worn favourite piece of clothing, then this is the thing for you! Snuggle up inside those comfy pants, warm socks and an oversized sweater. With you hygge look completed, curl up in front of the fire for some Netflix and chill.

Eat for Your Soul

Hygge eating is meant not just to indulge but also to enrich your soul and warm your heart. Some people take this as unhealthy eating, but in reality, hygge eating is more about hearty foods like stews, hot chocolate and porridge.

This Betty Crocker winter stew has been something I’ve been making ever since I learned how to cook. It’s simple and hearty and always warms me up in the winter. It reminds me of being a youngster and eating my mother’s food or remembering that the first time I made it myself. Food is an excellent trigger for happy memories, so if you have a favourite meal that gives you that sense of familial comfort, this is a great excuse to cook it!

I hope that you learned a little more about Hygge and why this great style of living is something you should incorporate into your life this winter. Hopefully, you’ve realized that hygge is more about a sense of well-being, a presence in yourself, rather than something you can buy. It’s more about using what you already have to create the optimal environment for coziness and contentment!

Let me know if the comments what is your favourite way to get cozy during the winter months or if you’ve used any of these pieces of advice in your own life!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post How to Create a Hygge-Inspired Home this Winter first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When I first came to Denmark, this castle was one of the top things on my list to do. Rick Steves‘, my personal travel guru, had a rave review of Frederiksborg and I knew, based on his opinion, I had to make the journey out there myself! The most unique aspect of the castle is perhaps its furnishings. Frederiksborg is decorated to look as if it is still inhabited. There are few barriers between you and the history and at times, when you’re alone in the room, you feel like you could just jump into bed (but don’t). As you move through the castle, you travel through time, room by room, by the changing decor.

Location

Frederiksborg Castle is located in the small town of Hillerød. If you want to make an entire day out of your trip to Frederiksbborg Castle, you should spend some time in the village of Hillerød. It is such a perfect, quaint little town. The Hillerød City & Graphic Museum is a great place to visit on your way out of town. It features a complete history oh Hillerod, games for children and a little letterpress museum. There is an amazing gallery featuring samples of advertisements that were used in town printed on that very letterpress. Large dioramas of what day-to-day activities would have looked like in Denmark in the 19th-century are also joyfully curated to bring this town’s history to life.

How to Get There

Assuming you’re coming to Frederiksborg from Copenhagen, you’ll just need to hop on the S-train. Take Line A from Copenhagen Station to Hillerød Station. The ride takes about 40 minutes and costs 92 DKK or $9 USD.

From Hillerød Station you can walk directly to the Palace. The walk takes just under 20 minutes and is a lovely little jaunt through the village. If the weather isn’t on your side, you can also take the local bus 301 (towards Ullerød) or bus 302 (towards Sophienlund). Get off at the stop “Frederiksborg Slot” or Frederiksborg Palace.

There is also a third option, which is the ferry! You can take the ferry right into the castle but I would recommend doing the ferry on your way back. The optimal way to experience the castle tour is from via the roadway which leads into the front entry, whereas the ferry would take you into via the back entrance.

Hours and Admission

Buy your tickets online or at the castle on the day you arrive. Unless you’re visiting during the absolute peak of the season, I wouldn’t worry about buying a ticket in advance as this castle is pretty quiet when compared to other popular attractions.

Accessibility

It’s important to note that the entryway into the castle is heavily cobbled. If you have a walking aid you should be ok with some assistance. But if you require handicapped access, there is a separate entrance available to the right of the main entrance. Press the button to call for assistance.

Elevators connect all floors of the museum for wheelchair access. The only rooms not available are the Palace Chapel and the Great Hall (which are not accessible to wheelchairs). If you think all the walking might be a little strenuous and you’d rather be comfortable, the museum has two wheelchairs, which can be borrowed from the ticket office. Authorized guides and assistance dogs are also welcome in the museum.

When to Arrive

I would recommend arriving right when the palace opens. There is so much to see here but arriving at opening also means you’ll find the least amount of people here. The early bird catches the worm, and when I came in the early morning I had almost the entire place to myself. It was magical. But one of the reasons I love this castle is because of its low levels of tourist traffic. That means that even if you get up late you’ll still find a rather open and uncrowded palace to explore.

Kaffebar

Since the only cafe on the castle property is located very far away from the main entrance, you’re best to stop for some breakfast or lunch on your way into town. My pick would be Kaffebar. This bohemian cafe is a great place to get your morning brew and enjoy a traditional Danish breakfast. Which, contrary to popular belief, does not contain danishes. Try their freshly baked rye bread with cheese, ham and sausage or one of their many rich pastries!

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History of Frederikzborg Castle

Purchased by Frederick II in 1560, Frederiksborg Castle was once simply a noble manor house owned by a wealthy landowner. At the time, Frederick II was the reigning sovereign of Denmark and Norway. He fell in love with the manor. Frederick was obsessed with obtaining it and eventually purchased it in exchange for a new royal title for the current owner. He named it Frederiksborg, which translated means literally to “Frederick’s Palace“. Frederick II made many additions to expand the house into an awe-inspiring castle. He wanted to build on the grandeur of the original structure but add his own artistic touches.

When his son, Christian IV, became king he was keen to transform the palace as well. These kings never seemed satisfied. Christian was born inside the walls of the palace. Therefore, it held a very important place in the heart of the new king. Christian IV was progressive. He loved the new style and designs of Dutch Renaissance architecture. Once he took power, he was excited to see the palace reflect the designs of his time. Flemish architect Hans van Steenwinckel the Elder was brought on to create Christian’s vision. It took over 10 years to be completed and the construction even outlived the original architect.

1800s Renovations

In the 1800s, renovations took place to install new fireplaces throughout the castle as the heating had been a huge issue for the comfort of those nobles inside. But it was this very act that would bring great destruction to the palace. One winter’s night, while in his study, the current king Frederick VII asked for a fire to be lit to keep him warm while he worked late into the night. Since the chimneys were still under construction, the smoke and heat could not be released and a fire broke out inside the castle.

The Great Fire

The lake was frozen over and staff couldn’t get enough water pumped to put out the fire. The fire spread rapidly throughout the castle and by morning almost the entire palace had been severely damaged or destroyed. Staff had worked throughout the night to save over 300 paintings and smaller historical items from the fire. You can still see these saved items on display today inside the castle.

After the fire, the royals stayed in another one of their residences while Frederiksborg castle was being rebuilt. But after a short period of time, the royals decided to abandon the reconstruction of Frederiksborg castle. It was too much of a financial drain on their coffers and since they had other large manor houses, it felt like an unnecessary expense.

Transformation into a Museum

In 1878, J. C. Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg Brewery, had the grand idea to turn the disused Palace, into a museum. Jacobsen was a passionate collector and loved his country. He thought it was a travesty to see this beautiful piece of history deteriorating in the countryside. He offered to pay for all its reconstruction and any further expenses! Today the palace is still run by the Carlsberg Foundation and it is thanks for him that can explore this wonderous piece of Danish architecture. 

The castle museum features 500 years of Danish history which has been woven throughout the walls of the palace. There are portraits, paintings of historic events, antique furniture and decorative arts dotting the entire palace, creating a timeline of Danish life. Seeing these pieces in-situ, rather than just clumped together in a modern gallery, makes history come alive! Many portraits along these walls are of some of the most famous Danes and Royals who helped shape the face of their country and even lived within the walls of the castle.

Castle Lake

When you first approach the castle, you’ll spot the large lake which surrounds it. It creates a reflective frame around the beautiful red-bricked building. This lake is appropriately called “Castle Lake” and was built in 1560. It served both as a leisure area for the King and his court but also as a moat to keep the castle protected. While Denmark hasn’t seen war in many years, during the time of the castle’s construction, Denmark had frequent battles with other Scandinavian nations, so protection was very important. Today, the area around the lake is accessible to everyone from Hillerød and acts as a public park for the townspeople.

Town Gate

The first thing you’ll see when you arrive at the entrance to the castle is a small bridge in front of a stone archway called the Town Gate. In the centre of the stone archway is a statue of a great lion. He represents one of the three lions which serve as a symbol of Denmark.

Staldgaden

After passing under the gate, you’ll walk down a narrow street towards the castle. The name of this small street is called Staldgaden which translates to housing street as this was where all the servants to the king’s court lived. Walking down this narrow cobblestone pathway, you can see on either side of you two, single-storey buildings. These old complexes were the King’s Stables (to the west) and the Hussars’ Stables (to the east).

At the back of the stables are two matching towers, dubbed the Frederik II’s Round Towers. These were built in 1562 and bear the coat of arms of Frederick II. On the coat of arms is the motto Mein Hoffnung zu Gott allein which means “My hope to God alone“. 

The Gatehouse

As you reach the end of Staldgaden you’ll pass along the S-shaped bridge, over the castle lake, to bring you to the feet of the gatehouse. Christian VI’s Gatehouse was built in 1736. Standing guard, with its copper tiered roof, the Gatehouse is adorned with a huge sandstone relief of the Danish Coat of Arms. The Danish Coat of Arms is made up of three lions with their paws extended, surrounded by nine hearts. These hearts are also called “søblade“, and represent the love for the sea as the Danes were known for their seafaring explorations.

The Neptune Fountain

After you pass through the gatehouse you’ll emerge into the first courtyard. Standing in the center is the commanding Neptune Fountain. The fountain was made in honour of the naval forces in Denmark which were the leading army on the Baltic seas. At the very top of the fountain, we can see the great sea god Neptune. He stands with his hand outstretched, reaching out towards us. In Neptune’s other hand is his great Tritan, at the ready to defend Denmark.

Below him, on pedestals around the central column, are gorgeous rivers and spring deities. Surrounding the lowest level of the fountain are water nymphs. In their hands, they play seashell trumpets. Water spurts forth from these decorations to exalt their great leader, Neptune.

Dutchman Adrian de Vries

The original fountain was designed by Dutchman Adrian de Vries in 1617 but the one that stands here today is actually a replica. This is because the fountain, in its entirety, was stolen by the Swedes during the Swedish Wars. If you’ve ever visited the Royal Summer Palace in Drottningholm, Sweden, you’ll have seen the original fountain as it still stands there today. The current design was made in 1888, funded by Jacob Christian Jacobsen who felt his museum wasn’t complete until the fountain was at least in some part, restored to the palace.

On either side of the Nepture fountain, you’ll see two thin buildings. On the left, we have the Castellan’s lodge and on the right, we have the Chancery Building. A castellan is an appointed official, a governor of a castle and its surrounding territory. The chancery is the building that houses diplomatic missions, such as the Danish embassy. Both of these places were of great importance to the function of the royal family and the government.

Frederiksborg Castle Buildings

Standing in front of the Neptune fountain you’ll have an unobstructed view of the grandeur that is Frederiksborg Castle. Designed in the classic Dutch Renaissance tradition, Frederiksborg is shaped in a quadrangular structure. Dutch Renaissance architecture used red bricks for the exterior and the buildings were topped with stepped gables and towering copper spires.

The four main structures, which make up the quadrangular castle can be seen here from a distance. To the west, we have the Chapel Wing, which was built in 1606. Straight in front of your eyes is the main wing, the King’s Wing, built in 1604. To the east, we have Princess Wing built in 1608. The fourth structure is the clock tower built in 1617 after nine years of construction. These buildings are all joined together by the Terrace Wing to form the great Frederiksborg Castle.

The Terrance Wing

Guarding the entrance to the castle, is a large central doorway that leads into the secondary courtyard. Atop the doorway is a great sandstone work of art carved into the portal. This is the monogram of Christian IV. The large ‘C4’ is chiselled into a circular coin shape, surrounded by rich foliage. On either side of the monogram are two small carvings in the shape of a man and woman. On the left, we have the image of King Christian himself and on the right, is his wife, Anne Catherine of Brandenburg.

Below this area, take a look at the small coat of arms with two unicorns on either side. Unicorns are a part of a cherished Danish myth that says that the throne of Denmark was made of the horns of thousands of unicorns. As such the mythological animal is a strong piece of symbolism to the country.

On either side of the bridge before crossing into the inner courtyard, you’ll find two large sandstone statues of great lions. The lions are reared up on their back legs, with their paws wrapped around a large orb. Orbs are seen frequently in royal symbolism and are thought to represent the globe. The lions with their hands wrapped around it therein representing the Danish power wrapping around the world.

Exterior Statues

On either side of the large doorway, are a series of sumptuously decorated set of sculptures under an ornamented balustrade. Inside the little niches are sculptures of characters from astrology and mythology. The Dutch Renaissance loved these themes and this addition seemed to add to the fairytale nature of the castle. Included in these statues are images of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, two amazing historical leaders that the Danish kings wanted to mirror in their own leadership.

Inner Courtyard

Enter through the doorway into the inner courtyard. Staring right at you as you walk inside is the Great Gallery from 1621. This gallery is made up of a series of sculptures across the front of the King’s Wing. These statues are of various Gods and notable historical leaders. They were made by Hans van Steenwinckel the Younger in Amsterdam and brought to Denmark by ship. On the right, under a small copper dome, is the entrance to the castle well, which you can still see behind a wrought iron gate.

Take note of the use of columns here and throughout the castle. Roman and Greek architecture profoundly influenced the Dutch Renaissance as can be seen in the use of columns as adornment. But unlike in Greek architecture, these columns and moulding are richly decorated and bas-reliefs are carved into any flat surface.

Clock Tower

On the left side, we can see the huge, clock tower, marked by golden clockfaces. The clock tower features a clock face on either side of the building, so that no matter where you were in the palace, you could look out and see the time. The dials of the clock end not in a point but in the shape of a star burst and are set against a backdrop of golden sun.

The church is located under the clock tower and it is perhaps for this reason that this tower is so richly decorated. This one wing was the only one to survive the horrific fires and therefore much of the restoration work was done to mirror these original designs. At the top of the clock tower is a golden spire with a horse and crown atop it.

Stained Glass

From the exterior courtyard, look up at the windows, and bay windows, which protrude from the castle walls. Each of these windows is sumptuously decorated with vibrant stained glass, another popular feature of Renaissance architecture. Everything from family crests to royal symbology and historical portraits are represented here in delicate glasswork.

The Rose Dining Room

Enter the central doorway to step for the first time into the interior of the castle. Once you pass through the admission gate, you enter the great Rose Room. This room on the lower level is a recreation of the great Dining Room of King Christian IV. The naming of this room as the “Rose Room” is a hint at the true nature of the goings-on at royal dinner parties. The Latin phrase sub rosa means “under the rose”, and is used in English to denote secrecy or confidentiality. This dining room was where the court could come and be themselves, away from the eyes of the public.

This room was severely damaged during the fire, but luckily, dozens of paintings were made of the interiors of the castle, which were used to recreate these rooms authentically.

Interior Ornamentation

One of my favourite parts of this room is the white stucco ceilings supported by six vaults which rest on free-standing pillars. In the centre of the extremely detailed ceiling are various golden monograms set in a sea of white stucco flowers and vines. The juxtaposition of the white ceiling and dark wood floors is a beautiful piece of architectural contrast.

The wallpaper in this room is especially interesting. It was made of an imitation leather material and covered in gilt to look as rich as possible. Like running your fingers along the spine of an ancient book which covers the entire room.

Throughout the castle, there are little displays featuring clothing from the various time periods that royals inhabited the castle. This gives you an idea of the kind of regalia that would be floating up and down the hallways of the castle when it was a bustling imperial residence.

Staircase

Head through the door marked 2nd floor, which leads you up the winding staircase. This passageway leads guests into the Chapel. As you walk you’ll pass hundreds of shields, emblazoned with the coat of arms of the houses of Denmark’s royal families. They are almost piled one upon the other, making you aware of the legacy that Denmark’s royal family left on the country. There are over 3,500 of these shields in the castle. 400 of them belong to the Order of the Elephant and the remaining 3,100 belong to the Order of Dannebrog. Because the staircases were spared from the fire, all the shields are still originals.

Chapel

Walking into the Chapel, your jaw practically drops right to the floor. The sparkle of the golden ceiling, the bright glimmer of the stained glass windows and the brilliant red pews together combine to create such an awe-inspiring image. The Chapel is one of the few original rooms in the palace, as it was also spared by the great fire that consumed the rest of the building.

Dutch Renaissance

The Chapel was built in 1617, right in the middle of the great Dutch Renaissance. Since the Renaissance was all about reflecting the architectural styles of ancient Rome and Greece, you’ll see here the powerful use of columns, repeated to create a long nave and two-storey gallery. The arches which connect the pillars are richly decorated with grisaille frescos. Grisaille is a painting technique that uses only shades of grey to imitate the looks of sculptures. It was a method of achieving a more luxurious look at half the cost.

The Chapel inside Frederiksborg Castle was for more than just the king’s private prayer roon. After 1648, the chapel was the place where the future kings and queens of Denmark were crowned and anointed. It truly was an almost godly interior.

The roof is the real show stopper here. The six-vaulted stucco ceiling is pouring with golden embellishments and rosettes along the vault ribs bloom like they are in the middle of summer sunlight. In between, there are delicately painted pink cherubs looking down on the faithful below.

Paintings decorate the walls of the upper level. These paintings are from the Danish royal family’s art collection. Each one depicting scenes from the bible, featuring virtues that would befitted feature kings and inspired their good nature.

The Organ

Just below the great golden ceiling, you’ll see the other gem of the Chapel, the great organ. It was built in 1610 by Esajas Compenius and it the oldest organ in Denmark! The organ was a gift to Christian IV in 1617 when the chapel was consecrated. Despite it’s proximity to the great fire, the original wooden pipes were preserved, something which is a rarity to see in organs, since many were modernized with metal pipes.

The organ is still operational and uses a manually driven blower to create a rich sound. It requires two people to play it; one to pump it and the other to play the keys. On either side of the organ are these beautifully carved statues holding the crests of the royal family of Denmark.

On the opposite side of the church, is a new set of organ pipes, installed in 1863. While these might not be as old as the previous ones, they are, in my opinion, much more beautiful. The metal pipes are surrounded in multicoloured carvings. Everywhere you look there is a little angel poking its head out from amongst the pastel-painted decorations.

The Altar

On the lower level of the chapel, the amazing treasures don’t stop. Head up to the front of the church where you’ll find the great altarpiece and pulpit. These were both installed in the early 17th century and are by the famous silversmith Jacob Mores. The altarpiece is made of silver and ebony, with gold touches just to make the entire piece feel like something truly holy.

Coats of Arms

Other than the paintings, on the walls, you’ll see more of the amazing Coats of Arms which we were introduced to on the way up the stairs. As mentioned before these are from the Order of the Danopole and the Order of the Elephant, the two chivalric orders of Denmark.

The Order of the Elephant is the highest rank someone could receive. The Order of the Elephant shields are significantly more detailed, with a blue shashes and commander’s cross in chains painted around the shield. Look closely and you’ll see that the chain links are actually tiny elephants connected together.

Coats of Arms of Heads of State

Coats of arms were also given to foreign heads of state. These were symbolic of great partnerships such as the ones gives to the allies of WWII. They were given to both President Eisenhower and Winston Churchill. I loved studying all the different house crests in the centre of the shields. Each one was so different from the other, and it felt like, through the symbolism therein, you could learn so much about a family you’ve never met.

The Oratory

Continuing along on the upper level of the Chapel, and head under a low archway into the King’s private prayer room, or Oratory. This darkened room was where the king would come to pray, away from the clamour of the court and the public. His chapel is decorated on all sides by amazing paintings from the New Testament. Although the original paintings were lost in the fire, these new ones were inspired by paintings from the time and evoke the idea of what the oratory once would have looked like.

The walls here are carved from rich nutmeg coloured wood, with fantastically detailed decorations in between the panels. In the centre of the room stands a great silver altar, much like the one in the chapel. This was designed by goldsmith Matthäus Wallbaum in 1600 and made prayer in this small room feel all the more grandiose.

My favourite part of this room is once again, the ceiling. Turn your head upwards and spot the various strangely shaped ebony carvings. Some look like blossoming rosettes and others appear to be spikes curving into horn-like shapes. They feel so unique and almost otherworldly, something you might not expect to see in a religious setting.

Valdemarsalen

The Valdemarsalen is a pale yellow room, featuring hunting regalia all over the walls. The room is named after Valdemar I of Denmark who ruled from 1146 to 1182. King Valdemar was a great ruler and it was partly due to him that Denmark saw its rise to power in the medieval period. This room features objects from his life in Denmark in medieval times. Richly carved wood was the most popular item and various pieces of furniture from this period have been collected here to give you an idea of what Valdemar’s quarters might once have looked like.

Otto Bache

This room also features several large scale paintings depicting scenes from the Middle Ages in Denmark. One of the most interesting is ‘The Conspirators Riding Away from Finderup after Murdering King Erik Klipping‘ by Otto Bache. The scene takes place in 1286 but was painted in 1882 and depicted one of the greatest royal murders of Danish history. The nobles of Denmark were angry that King Erik had enforced several policies that they did not approve of. But instead of just opposing them, they did the very medieval thing to do and conspired to murder him. They paid off one of his most trusted companions to keep them informed of the king’s whereabouts, and one night, when he was left unguarded, he was murdered by the noble’s hired assassin. Here they can be seen fleeing after being informed of their plots success.

Audience Chamber Privy Passage

To the left, you’ll see a door marked ‘Audience Chamber‘. Head through this private passage, which stretches out across the lake. The passageway to the Audience Chamber is perhaps even more beautiful than the Audience Chamber itself. The passageway and the Chamber were designed for King Christian V in the 1680s. During this period Baroque was the style which reigned supreme! The baroque period is characterized by light and shadow and most of all, drama! The stucco used throughout the passageway is adorned in plant life, another element of importance to the baroque period. You’ll see scrolling foliage and garlands of flowers everywhere you look.

On the walls of the passage, you’ll see landscape paintings by Josse de Momper. One of the most powerful images is of Venus by Petro Liben. She gestures towards the Audience Chamber as if inviting guests inside. On the ceiling of the Privy Passage you can see four images representing earthly elements; earth, air, fire and water.

The Audience Chamber

The Audience Chamber was designed in 1616. From here you have one of the most amazing views of the lake and surrounding baroque garden. This was the King’s private room, and he wanted the best view of his great palace and grounds. Like the Chapel, this room, being so separated from the rest of the castle, also survived the great fire!

On the walls throughout the room are portraits of Christian V and his family. The largest painting is of the king with his three sons, the future kings of Denmark. In this painting, they are dressed as Roman emperors. This was a popular fashion at the time to compare oneself to other great leaders in history but looks funny to see the almost dressed in costumes.

King Christian V’s motto

On the ceiling, is a great fresco of King Christian V’s motto “With Piety and Justice.” Hanging beneath it, over the small dining table, is a large golden chandelier featuring a jumping stag in the centre. Hunting was a great pastime of Kings and royalty, especially in their country manor homes.

Above the windows are paintings of significant battles, and the king’s triumph during the Scanian War. These images were something future Kings could look up at and be inspired by in moments of doubt or failure.

One of the more exciting parts of this room is a chair located in the corner. This chair might look a little odd, and this is because it’s a chair lift that can go from this room to the floor above, which contains the king’s private apartments, just like a modern-day elevator. The chair lift was installed when the king fell ill and found it challenging to walk up the stairs between the various floors.

Painted in the four corners of the ceiling are four becoming female figures which represent the four corners of the world. At the time Denmark had colonies in each of these places and the paintings were meant to reflect this position of power which Denmark held over the world.

Room 25

From the Audience Chamber, head back through the Valdermarsalen, into Room #25. If you are ever confused as to what room you’re inside, take a look at the numbers above the doorways as they are all marked. Hanging above one of the doorways is a huge family tree from 1570. The piece once hung in the old Sonderborg Castle Chapel but was moved here to decorate Frederiskborg after the fire. The furniture inside this room is all from the 16th century and features Gothic embellishments.

One important thing to note as you explore the rooms is that they are almost entirely lit by daylight. This little detail makes the rooms feel more authentic modern museums with artificial lights. The pieces inside would not have been designed to appear under such fluorescent lighting, and therefore, they look more natural with nothing but the sun to illuminate their beauty.

Room 26

Room #26 features items from the Danish Reformation Era. During this era, Christian III came to power and became head of the Danish church. To mark the importance of this period in history, a Danish translation of the Bible can be seen under a protective glass case which was one of the first of its kind in the Danish language.

Room 27

This pale blue room with a gorgeous star vaulted ceiling is dedicated to the reign of Frederik II. Hanging above the main wood dresser are two portraits, facing each other. This is King Frederik and Queen Sofia, who would have made this room their bedchamber. The rest of the room is filled with additional portraits of the bourgeois who attended court at this time. This was the first moment in history when paintings of non-royal members of the family were allowed to be made, so their depictions are especially important.

From this room, you can easily peek out the window, and see the courtyard below. Looking out the windows of the castle is a great way to orientate yourself as you walk through the maze of rooms inside.

Room 28

Room 28 is the Noble Portraits room. It features a collection of paintings of the nobles of the Danish court. The most famous person on these walls is Tycho Brahe, a famous astronomer from the 1600s. In the centre of the room is a large suit of armour, standing guard in front of the windows. The armour is a copy of that worn by Henrik Rantzau “the learned” who visited Jerusalem and Egypt in 1623 during the Crusades.

Room 29

Room 29 is painted bright blue and the golden paintings set against the walls simply beam against the natural sunlight. This was one of the original living rooms of Christian IV. He lived in the castle beginning in 1596 when he became king at the young age of 19. The first half of his reign was more prosperous than the second half when he was plagued with the disastrous Danish 30 years war.

The large painting above the dresser is of the king himself and surrounding him are images of his children and wives. Christian IV actually had three wives throughout his lifetime. Perhaps looking at his portrait you can decide for yourself if it was his looks or his wealth that drew all these ladies to him.

Room 30

Stepping into Room 30 feels like entering a more regal part of the castle. This room is sumptuously decorated. The painting on the wall depicts events from Christian IV’s life, and the decor inside this room is curated to reflect styles that would have been popularized during his lifetime. Along the wall is a HUGE painting of the coronation of Christian IV in 1596 made in 1887 by Otto Bache. 

The ceiling is covered in frescos. They stretch from end to end and are framed in giltwood carvings which make them even more elaborate and colourful. The frescos on the ceiling feature the story of the ancient legend of Gefion. Gefion was a fantastical goddess who drove an enormous plough driven by mythical oxen. The King of Sweden offered the goddess as much land as she was capable of ploughing in one day and one night in exchange for cultivating the island of Zealand out of Sweden. Here you can see her along with her great oxen.

Nikolaus Siebenhaar

In the corner of the room, behind a beautifully panelled set of windows, is an old astronomical clock from 1644. The clock was made by Nikolaus Siebenhaar from gold plated copper on a carved wooden base. The clock was called a tellurium. The tellurium and shows the time, date, moon phase and the position of the constellations. All of which were of great importance for astronomy and astrology which influenced the king’s decisions during this time.

Room 31

Room 31 is the Leonora Christina living room. The entire room is covered floor to ceiling in dark wood panelling. The room was inspired by the amazing works of Tycho Brahe and was given an astronomical theme. The ceiling is the most impressive feature covered in a painting of the zodiac symbols as they appear in their spacial constellations.

The large painting on the wall of a man and woman with a few small dogs at their feet is Princess Leonora Christina and her husband Corfitz Ulfeldt. Leonora’s husband committed treason against the king, Leonora’s brother. Leonora herself was sent to prison by her brother for her aid in the attempted plot.

Leonora was imprisoned in the Blue Tower in Copenhagen for 22 years. When she was finally released from captivity, she wrote a series of poems on an altar cloth about her life in prison, the true nature of royal life and all the scandals she was privy to while living in the castle—basically creating the first “exposed” article of all time. You can still see this piece of history on display here today.

Room 32

A collection of minature portraits occupies the corner tower room on this floor. These adorable cameos and tiny portraits were often worn by members of the court to show their allegiance to individual members of the royal family. This was of particular significance if one royal was thought to be attempting to oust the next. And if you wanted to show your support of one royal over another casually, this was a subtle way of doing it.

Room 34

From the minature portrait room, head back to room 30 and head upstairs to Room 34. This hallway leads you through to the second floor of the castle. The walls of the hallways here are littered in paintings. The most impressive of which is the ‘Storm of Copenhagen in 1659‘ by F.C Lund. It features the night that Copenhagen was attacked by the Swedes. As the siege wore on, one of the most famous quotes from the king’s as he defended the city was “I will die in my nest“. The Swedes were defeated and suffered over 500 deaths whereas the Danes managed to defend their city fiercely and only lost 14 brave men.

Room 35

Walking through these long hallways, turn into the grand bedroom of Frederik III in Room 35. The furniture in this room is all from the 1600s during the reign of Frederik III. Take special care to study the four-poster bed in the middle of the room. It’s incredible to see how small these beds were despite being for the absolute monarchs of the time. If you look closely at the crushed red velvet bedding, you’ll see how the head of the bed is raised slightly, since it was the custom at the time to sleep with your head above your body. The bedposts are giving particular attention with carvings of kings and queens as well as mythical creatures inlaid into the wood.

This room features the most amazing wood carvings. The ceiling itself is absolutely covered in carved panels. The same strange blossoming rosettes from the oratory can be seen here paired with brightly painted circular panels.

Room 36

Room 36 features more objects from the time of King Frederick III and Queen Sofia. The style of architecture and decor inside is of the baroque style. It is lavish and bordering on pompous. The furniture throughout the room is all exquisitely created from Germany, the Netherlands and France as the Danes. The reason the furniture was not locally made was that during the reign of Frederick III, trading across Europe had started to open up making the exchange of goods and materials more popular and fashionable. “Shop local” wasn’t nearly the trend in the 1600s. The furniture is even inlaid with pieces of ebony and ivory, a way of showing off wealth in every inch of the castle.

Along the walls in this room are portraits of the men who supported and aided the king in the 1600s. There were both noblemen and academics who helped lead the realm into glory.

On the ceiling of the room is a grandiose painting of Sol. Sol is the Nordic sun goddess who travels through the sky in a chariot pulled by two great horses. Sol is responsible for imparting everlasting life and is thought to have created the spark of life on earth.

The Angel’s Room

Room 37 is also called the Angel’s Room and walking in, there is no doubt as to why. It feels truly otherworldly. When Frederick III died, queen Sofia continued to live here in her widowhood. She took it upon herself to pour her grief into the decoration of the castle. She never stopped adding decorations and embellishments until her own death. This room was badly damaged in the fire but was restored to its former glory in 1859.

The Angel’s Room was often used for both huge banquets and small family dinners. Displayed in the centre of the room is a model of the dining table complete with plastic moulds of the meals and foods which the court and royal family would have eaten in the 17th century.

Great Ceiling

The great ceiling is painted with motifs inspired by the Doge’s Palace in Venice. The paintings in the centre are of King Frederick III on the throne surrounded by the four pillars of the Danish kingdom; the nobility, the clergy, the citizens and the peasantry. In the other paintings, are allegories of war and peace.

The room display two huge paintings of two of the most important events in Fredericks III’s reign. One of the paintings features the moment he inherited Copenhagen’s Royal Palace. After the Carl Gustav wars, Frederik III had a momentous town meeting in Copenhagen to solve the financial problems the country was facing after the war. The result of this meeting was the creation of absolute monarchy and the hereditary kingdom of Denmark.

Nyborg Fjord

The second painting features the naval commander Peder Bredal when he freed his frozen vessels out of Nyborg Fjord. The painting was made by Carl Neumann in 1883. Johan Carl Neumann was one of the most famous Danish marine painters. He had a way of capturing those moments at sea which helped shape the nation. If Bredal would not have been able to free his ships from the ice, the soldiers would have been both lost at sea during the tough winter and they would not have been able to join the forces on land to defend their kingdom.

A small set of stairs leads you from this room into the Great Hall. On either side of the archway leading up to the Great Hall are a set of winged creatures, beckoning you inside.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall was built for King Christian IV but was destroyed in the great fire. Since this room was such a showstopper there was a plethora of paintings and drawings done of the space used to faithfully recreate it. King Christian ruled Denmark from 1588 to 1648. His 59-year reign is the longest of Danish and of Scandinavian monarchs. Despite the wealth displayed in this room, during his reign, he instigated various wars that almost bankrupted the country.

This fairytale-inspired room was used for balls throughout Christians’ reign. The room is set directly above the Chapel and has the same dimensions as it as well. The Hall is also known as the ‘Hall of Knights‘ as the king would often host galas for members of his royal order here.

Great Hall Fireplace

On the side of the room is what looks like an ebony coloured canopy but is actually the great black marble fireplace. The actual fireplace is hidden behind a set of tapestries as it helps keeps the cold out. Inlaid on the black marble are beautiful scenes made from panels of pure silver. I can only imagine how gorgeous the silver would have looked in the light of the fire.

When I visited the castle, there were very few people in the palace. But as I wandered around the empty hall, a small group of school children came inside and began to dance in the huge empty room. They were so sweet and made me imagine what this room might have looked like filled with courtly men and women in their finery, dancing the night away. The rich marble floor beneath their feet glimmering under the chandeliers and their laughter brought the room to life!

From looking down at the floor, take your eyes upwards to the great ceiling carvings. The ceiling was recreated based on artists’ sketches before the fire. The ceiling looks like a treasure chest, piled high with golden coins and brightly coloured jewels.

Every inch, every centimetre of the ceiling is embellished in carvings and paintings. Angels flit about among orange trees, crowned rosettes, and beautiful swirling fillagree. Scenes set into the ceiling represented the various crafts of the Danish people, such as the paper mill, the printing press, and even the watchmaker. Surrounding these scenes are allegories of God’s attributes. A balance between the godly and the earthly delights.

Great Hall Tapestries

One of the most important pieces of art in the hall are woven tapestries. The tapestries depict the life of Christian IV and are copies of original tapestries found outside the castle, having been saved from the fires. The tapestries were made specifically for the museum to restore the look of the Great Hall.

Facing in on the hall are portraits of the members of the House of Glücksburg. The house of Glücksburg has been the Danish Royal Household since Christian IX in 1863. The current reigning queen, Margaret, is from their dynasty and keeps her family’s legacy alive today.

At the front of the room, under the most enormous golden chandelier, is the throne and king’s table. The throne is covered by a rich red velvet canopy with golden embroidery depicting Christian IX’s Danish monogram.

Gothic Globe Room

From the Great Hall, head back into the Angels Room and towards Room 39, which is located in the corner tower. This room also called the Gottorpske Himmelglobus or Gothic Globes room. The golden globe in the centre of the room was made for Frederik III. This celestial globe depicts the world view of Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer, who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than Earth in the center o the universe. The entire piece took over three years to be completed in 1657.

Astronomical Designs

The sky is represented around the exterior and inside the sphere are tiny gold balls which are the earth and, the moon. The other planets are also represented by smaller silver balls inside. The sun is in the centre of all of this, represented by a large brass ball. Around the exterior of the sphere are these beautiful depictions of the zodiac symbols surrounded by astronomical constellations. But the piece is not just an art exhibit, each of the objects moves based on the 24-hour clock. The room also features portraits of court mathematicians, astronomers, librarians and the heads of the Art Chambers.

While the ceiling here is pure white, the stucco designs were made to reflect the presence of the celestial globe and also feature images of the zodiac symbols.

Room 40

Head back to Room 36 and continue from here to Room 40. In this room was have items from Christian V’s reign from 1670 to 1699. Christian V was the first king who was anointed in the palace. In the center of the room is a book with the page opened to the King’s Act of 1665 which was the legal basis upon which the Danish Monarchy was formed.

On the left side of the wall is a large portrait featuring Christian V in his fancy dress. Seeing his face both here and throughout the castle always makes me feel like he’s still watching over the palace even hundreds of years after his death.

This room also has one of the best view of the castle layout and baroque gardens outside.

Room 41

Room 41 features statesmen and artists from Christian V’s reign. Among them were the naval hero Niels Juel, baroque poet Thomas Kingo and merchant turned chancellor, Peder Schumacher.

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Room 42

Room 42 marks the transition between the 1600s and the 1700s. This period was marked by the Baroque style. Baroque and Rococo are my two favourite stylistic periods as they are synonymous with ostentatiousness and grandeur. Instead of wallpaper decorating the walls, they were covered in huge woven tapestries. These tapestries depicted scenes of Alexander the Great entering Babylon and the battle of the Persian kings. They were fantastical depictions of the greatest rulers from history. The tapestries were made in Louis XIV’s factory in Paris and were made by the very best weavers around the world.

The beautifully carved and upholstered canopy bed was made in Paris around 1724. They called this style of bed a “parade bed”. It was made for Christian V when he married Christine Catherine von Holstein in 1724. You can see their monograms, CDS and CCH, carved into the bedframe. My very favourite part of this bed is the silver fireguard which sits in front of the bedroom to protect it from the sparks of the fireplace. It’s shaped into a heart and feels like it warms the room, even without a fire.

Room 43

Room 43 is centred around the large painting of King Frederick IV. Frederick IV reigned from 1699 to 1730. Frederick didn’t have the best time ruling the kingdom. During his reign, Copenhagen was struck with both the great plague of 1711 and the great fire of 1728, which destroyed most of the capital. Wanting to escape Copenhagen, Frederick spent much of his time building onto Frederickborg Palace. While Frederick wasn’t much of an academic, he loved art and architecture and it is perhaps for this reason that the castle became so magnificent. Chinese imports were becoming all the rage in this time and many of these oriental objects can be seen in this room.

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Room 44

Head into the corner tower where you’ll find room 44. Here you’ll find portraits of a number of prominent figures of Frederik’s IV’s reign. But what is most interesting to study in this room is the golden leather wallpaper which has been applied to the walls. This leather wallpaper appears throughout the castle but is most notable here both for its size and grandeur.

Room 46 – The Princess Wing

A long pastel pink hallway runs down this side of the castle, with various rooms extending off of it. This area of the castle is called the ‘Princess Wing‘. Most of the objects and paintings in this area are from the reign of Frederik IV and Christian VI from the first half of the 18th century. The Rococo style began in France in the 1730s as a reaction against the more formal and geometric Style of Louis XIV. Rococo dressers line the hallway, marked by their curves and sculptural moulding.

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Room 47

The pale blue room decorated with a myriad of the golden frames is from the time of Christian VI who ruled from 1730 to 1746. Various paintings in this room feature Queen Sofia Magdalene and her children.

In addition to the series of paintings, there are a set of chairs in here which are original from the court of Christian VI. There is also a cupboard containing an original Meissen porcelain collection. Meissen porcelain was one of the most popular items to show off your status at the time. Take note of the punch bowl in the shape of a bishop’s hat made in Copenhagen.

Room 48

Continue along through the rooms and head into Room 48. This light rose coloured room contains more objects from the 18th century. Two portraits of Frederick V by C.G. Pilo cover the walls. Pilo was responsible for most of the rococo designs throughout the castle during this period. He was the king’s personal stylist and interior decorator.

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The furniture in here is much lighter than in previous generations. Patterns are no less opulent but the subtle tones make it feel less busy. There is definitely an air of elegance here over opulence here.

Room 50

Room 50 contains a portrait of a rather turbulent figure in the royal household. During Christian VII‘s reign his wife was having an affair with a man named Struensee. Struensee was the king’s doctor, in addition to being the lover of the queen. Struensee used his influence over the king to control the kingdom as he saw fit. Finally, when the King discovered this treachery he had the doctor executed for crimes against his majesty. His portrait still hangs in the castle, perhaps as a reminder to those who might attempt to do the same.

Room 52

Room 52 features dignified furniture in the style of Louis XVI. The canopy sofa with a gold plate actually pulls out to be a double bed. Proves how the castle was starting to modernize with the times. The tableware in here is another gorgeous example of the style of Rococo flatware with botanical imagery all over it which was a popular icon on the style.

Room 54

Exiting back into the hallway, you’ll see that the walls have changed colours from the pastel blush pink, to mustard yellow. Along the walls are vintage pieces of furniture from the 1800s. But the most impressive part of this corridor is the gold plated ceiling. Inlaid with images of roman leaders, they look almost like giant coins glued onto the ceiling.

Room 55

Room 55 is one of the plainer coloured rooms but the sheer number of paintings on the wall makes it no less interesting. On the wall opposite window, are two grand pictures of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, depicting the vanquished Danish fleet. Despite this great military loss, the early 1800s were a boom time for the Danes. It was a golden age for art, literature, and science. Portraits on the wall reflect the various men and some women who helped shape this golden age. In the room is a set of Danish Imperial living room furniture, covered in rich red leather, which belonged to the household of Frederick VI.

Room 57, the Gable Room

The brightly painted red room in the back of the Princess Wing is called the Gable Room. This room is full of portraits of poets and artists from the Danish Golden Age. You’ll find pictures of actress Johanne Luise Heiberg, poet H.C. Andersen, and W. Marstrand. This change in who is portrayed in castle portraits, from the royals to portraits of celebrities, shows the shift in power dynamics during this time. The painting of actress Johanne Luise Heiberg was commissioned by her husband Johan Ludvig Heiberg. It was painted in the middle of the crisis that would lead to their eventual breakup. Her stern face clearly reflects her cross feeling about sitting for the portrait with a man she no longer was the biggest fan of.

The chandelier in the center of the room is one of the most impressive designs, with large round orbs hanging from it, it looks almost like a mythical fruit tree. It’s a big departure from the traditional chandelier designs throughout the rest of the castle and is another example of the change in both power and design during this era.

Room 58

In the last room, Room 58, you can visit a bust of the great linguist Rasmus Kristian Rask. Rask travelled the world studying Icelandic grammar and Oriental languages and is considered one of the founders of modern linguistics. Beside the statue of Rask is a stately telescope design from the mid-1800s. It was once used by Johan Ludvig Heiberg when he visited the palace.

Room 61

Take the stairs down to Room 61 back on the 1st floor. This room is commanded by a huge painting of the Constitutional Assembly from October 1484. This is when the king gave up his monarchical powers and when the first democratic election in Denmark took place. In this painting, you can see famous politicians from Danish history.

The ceiling in this room is once more sumptuously decorated with wood carvings and paintings of naval battles inlaid in the center.

Room 63

Room 63 is dedicated to the Three Year War which raged from 1848-1850. Denmark was fighting against the Germans, who had taken their land to the south. Two large paintings on the wall are of the greatest heroes of this war which lead Denmark to victory.

The ceiling styles in this era are definitely something to behold, as they appear to be an art gallery all unto themselves.

Room 64

Room 64 was actually a part of the museum created for not crown royalty, but for the great poet Adam Oehlenschlager. On the 100th anniversary of his death, the museum collected objects and paintings of the great Nordic poet and dedicated this room to his memory.

Room 65

Room 65 features images from the war of 1864. Prussia and Austria both attacked Denmark during this time. The war ended only when Denmark agreed to hand over parts of their land to Austria but managed to hold onto the small island of Ærø, which remained Danish. Ærø is my favourite spot in Denmark so I can see why that place would have been so important for them to hold onto.

The ceiling in this room features a large central painting depicting Jupiter and Juno. Juno and Jupiter are husband and wife and considered to be the King and Queen of the gods. They are often seen in Royal residences, as the royals are thought to be their earthly counterparts. Juno is the goddess of marriage, and childbirth and Jupiter was the god of the sky and thunder.

Room 66

This room is dedicated to the businessmen of the 19th century who helped move the Danish economy along. Agriculture, the dairy industry, shipyards, railways and breweries were booming and the various men in this room had a large part in their success.

Room 67

In this room, we see images of the Glucksborg families once more. Upon the death of Frederick VII in 1863, the throne passed to Christian IX who was a member of the Glucksborg family, and this was when their reign would commence. The furniture in this room is the most modern, all coming from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Room 68

The last room to study before heading outside is Room 68, which is dedicated to the memory of Brygger Jacobsen, who founded the museum which is now Fredericksborg Palace. Brygger Jacobsen, continued the legacy of his father’s brewer, Carlsberg Brewery, which is still to this day one of the most popular beers not only in Denmark but around the world.

Mønttårn tower

After you’ve finished touring the castle, head outside, around the castle over towards the baroque gardens. To enter the gardens you’ll enter through the Mønttårn tower, which contains the Audience we saw inside. This part of the castle was built in 1616 in high-renaissance style.

Study the swinging gables and gorgeous bay windows. The exterior is decorated in sculptures of Venus and Mars and musicians.

Baroque Gardens

Walk underneath the archway and across the stone bridge towards the Baroque gardens. The baroque gardens which surround the castle are designed in the typical style of the age. It was created by architect J. C. Krieger in 1725. Baroque gardens during this time were designed in a symmetrical pattern and used hedges and bushes to create an outer structure.

Within the lower portion of the gardens, you’ll find the hedges are carved into unique patterns which form of the Royal monograms. These monograms are of Frederik IV, Frederik V, Christian VI and Margrethe II. These are all the monarchs who ruled within the walls of this castle.

Toward the far end of the garden, off to the left is a series of small lakes, a bathhouse and an English style garden. This is also sometimes called the Romantic garden as it presents the uncurated and raw beauty of nature in contrast to the highly manicured and planned structure of the baroque garden.

The Little Ferry

After finishing wandering the incredible gardens, head over to the ferry dock to catch a ride around the castle lake. The ferry captains are the most charming old men and their cheerful banter was one of the best parts of the journey on the ferry.

The trip across the lake takes 30 minutes and costs DKK 30 ($4.50 USD) for adults and DKK 10 ($1.50 USD) for children. The last ferry departs the castle at 5 pm in the summer and 4 pm in the autumn so be sure to catch it before then. In the wintertime, the ferry is closed since the lake often freezes over.

Boating away from the castle, you have the most incredible view of the entire palace from on the water. The peaceful lull of the waves and the picturesque red brick against the bright blue sky is almost so beautiful its hard to imagine that this place is real and not just a fairytale.

This brings us to the end of our tour! The ferry boat will let you off on the other side of the lake, where you can wander around the village or head back to the train station to catch the train back to Copenhagen. While watching, the countryside fade back into the city, think back to all the wondrous things we saw at the Palace. What was your favourite room or treasure you discovered? Let me know if you’ve ever visited Frederiskborg Castle or what you’re most looking forward to seeing on your first visit!

Happy Travel Adventurers

The post Discover Denmark’s Amazing Hidden Gem: A Guide to Frederiksborg Castle, the Best Day Trip from Copenhagen first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

As someone who hates the cold, I was worried the chilly weather would keep me from seeing everything. But what surprised me most was that with proper preparations, I actually enjoyed it. The look of the icy water, snow-topped hillsides and twinkling Christmas lights against the midnight blue sky. I found my time there in the winter, more enjoyable than in the summer! Maybe just because it was so different. There are a myriad of reasons to travel during the wintertime to these snowy destinations. Hopefully, this list inspires you to get out and enjoy the world, north of the equator in the winter months.

Table Of Contents

1. #1 Embrace "hygge"
2. #2 Deals on Airfare!
3. #3 Try out the Slopes
4. #4 Christmas Markets!
5. #5 Winter Comfort Food
6. #6 Coffee Culture
7. #7 Museums are the Perfect Escape from the Cold
8. #8 See the Northern Lights
9. #9 Staying inside an Ice Hotel
10. #10 Warm up in a Sauna
11. Here are some TIPS to ensure you have the most fantastic winter vacation!

#1 Embrace “hygge”

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness. It conveys the feeling of wellness and contentment. Hygge is so crucial to the people of Scandinavia that it is considered “a defining feature of our cultural identity,” according to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute. These countries who practice hygge means that everywhere you go; you’ll find burning candles, cozy fireplaces, delicious hot coffee or chocolate and rich homemade sweets. Hygge makes every interior you find one of the most welcoming and warm places in the world!

But hygge is not just about hybernating. It is also about enjoying long walks outside. Despite the cold weather, you’ll find parks decked out in decorations, beautiful skating rinks and a feeling of a country that embraces the winter. Welcome the spirit of hygge into your heart during this season, and you’re bound to have a wonderful time.

#2 Deals on Airfare!

Winter is by far the cheapest season for travel in Europe. From early December to about mid-March, you’ll find flights around Europe super inexpensive. This time of year people are usually looking to escape to warm-weather destinations. Keep in mind you should always be booking these trips three months in advance as that is when the flight prices are usually the cheapest, outside of any last-minute sales. Travel during the week of Christmas is at its peak since families commute home during this time, so avoid going around those days if possible. If you’re worried about not being able to see Christmas Markets because the Christmas week is expensive to travel, fear not! Christmas Market opens as early as the last week of November.

#3 Try out the Slopes

If you’re someone who loves to hit the slopes, winter isn’t a downer but instead your favourite season! Just a short train ride into the countryside you’ll find ski resorts like Hemsedal, Riksgransen, Are Duved, Ruka, Vemdalen and Lillehammer. They are easily accessible from any major city in Scandinavia. If you don’t want to stay at the resort, the towns around these ski hills are full of alternative options for every budget. Also, if skiing isn’t your bag, many of these resorts also have toboggan or snow tubing hills. This allows you to enjoy the scenery and mountain top hot chocolates without needing an ounce of skill!

#4 Christmas Markets!

There is just something about a European Christmas market that gives me all those warm and fuzzy feelings. The twinkle lights on the trees, the smell of mulled wine floating through the air and freshly baked breads ready to warm your hands. If you’re a couple, there is something truly romantic about an evening stroll under the lights of the market. Most of the big cities have multiple Christmas Markets you can visit while you’re there. These places are not only beautiful but also great spots where you can find traditional handicrafts. You can also sample some of their famous Christmas foods.

If you’re looking for something outside the big cities, visit the Christmas Market in Lapland, which is the home of Santa Claus! As such, this town goes all out at Christmas time. Tivoli Park in Copenhagen is transformed during the holiday season into a real-life fairytale book. They even perform the traditional Christmas ballet The Nutcracker on stage inside the park, which makes for the ideal Christmas evening.

#5 Winter Comfort Food

Scandinavian foods are meant to be enjoyed in the winter. This is a country that knows how to make a warm and cozy meal. Almost all of their food is comfort food. Smørrebrød, rye bread, meatballs, stewed reindeer, pancakes and waffles are all the best things to enjoy in the winter. The portions are huge, as are the flavours. After you’re finished eating you’ll be ready to take on a long walk in the winter cold, without feeling a thing as you’ll be warmed from the inside out!

#6 Coffee Culture

Did you know that Scandinavia is at the top of the list of the most coffee-consuming countries? There is a good reason for this aside from just that their coffee is delicious. Coffee in Scandinavia is more than just a to-go cup you grab alone on your way to work. Having coffee is a chance to get away from the daily grind and catch up with friends. In Sweden, they call this Fika. Fika in Swedish means “to have a cup of coffee and a snack with a friend.” It’s absolutely built into the fabric of their daily life. They embrace the idea of bettering relationships while enjoying something scrumptious.

While other Scandinavian countries don’t have that words, the concept still remains. The prevalence of this coffee culture means there is an abundance of fantastic coffee shops to stop into on your trip to warm up while you enjoy the city. Take this time to step back for a minute, stop rushing around, enjoy the moment and reflect on your adventures.

#7 Museums are the Perfect Escape from the Cold

If you’re feeling particularly chilly, museums and art galleries are the best places to pop into to escape the cold. And what’s more, in Scandinavia, most state-run museums are free of charge to enter. Unfortunately, in countries like Denmark, recent government cuts have changed these policies. However, many of those museums are still open on certain days of the week for free. In Sweden, there are over 15 different museums and galleries which you can still enter free of charge everyday of the week! They make the perfect place to hide away from the cold without worrying too much about your budget.

I went to a myriad of different museums, some of which I didn’t even know anything about before I went. Still, since they were free, I didn’t have anything to lose. I could wander around and look at what interested me and simply head out once I finished. There was no pressure to make a whole day out of it since I didn’t pay a huge admission fee, which would have made me feel more inclined to “make it worth it.” It was the ideal place to get warm and see something exciting and new while I was at it.

#8 See the Northern Lights

Scandinavia is by far the best place to see the Aurora Borealis. The high latitude in Finland, Sweden and Norway makes these countries the best place for spotting those iconic green and blue waves in the sky. And winter (September to March) is the only time you can reliably spot them! Alta in Norway is probably the most famous city to travel to see them but other popular destinations are Abisko National Park and Porjus in Sweden, Senja in Norway and many cities in Finnish Lapland. Just remember you need to go far north for this, don’t think your visit to Oslo will allow you to see the lights!

#9 Staying inside an Ice Hotel

Ice hotels are one of the trendiest new things to come out of winters in Scandinavia! These luxury creations are somewhat of a novelty but combine cozy, fireplace lit interiors with icy architecture. The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi Sweden was the first hotel in the world to be built out of ice. Every springtime, the ice melts, and come the next winter, a new design is created to form a brand new looking hotel. So every year, there is something unique to experience. Despite being at least -10°, you’ll be nice and cozy with the special thermal PJs, and cold weather insulated sleeping bag you’re given. These will keep you snug all night long while enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime views.

There are plenty of other Ice hotels around Scandinavia from The Lapland Hotel’s Snow Village in Finland to The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta Norway. All of these locations also have on-site activities like dog-sledding, an ice bar or ice church and even snow sculptures to see in ice galleries. It’s truly something you just can’t experience anywhere, or anytime other than in the winter in Scandinavia!

#10 Warm up in a Sauna

All over Scandinavia, you’ll find strangers getting together, in a small, hot spaces to indulge in sauna . Saunas originated in Finland, and the word “sauna” comes from the Finnish word for bathhouse. Pits dug into the ground were the first saunas. Stones were added atop a burning fire to fit the pit. Water was then thrown on top of the rocks to produce steam. There have been sauna pits discovered as far back as 4000 B.C.E in Finland. It is a commonly shared belief in the Nordic countries that saunas relax muscles, soothe pain, releases endorphins, increases blood circulation, flush toxins, relieve stress, help fight illness, cleanse the skin, burn calories and also provides a social space to enjoy with friends. It’s basically thought to be a cure-all for everything.

While there are some small differences between sauna culture in the different Scandinavian countries, overall, the experience is the same. While some same-sex saunas are clothing optional, in most big cities, you can find tourist-friendly options where bathing suits are worn. This is great if you feel like you might be uncomfortable being naked around strangers. But once you take the plunge, the feeling of freedom is pretty unparalleled.

Cold Dips

Speaking of taking the plunge, some saunas also offers a dip into cold, almost freezing water. This could be just a cold bath or some spots located near bodies of water offer access right into the frozen sea. The dramatic plunge into cold water from the hot sauna is thought to increase the blood flow in the body and help increase all those other benefits we spoke of before. While some might be scared to try it, I vote to give it a go. It sure might feel unpleasant at first, but man does it wake your body up in a way that is indescribable and entirely worth it!

Here are some TIPS to ensure you have the most fantastic winter vacation!

Dress for Success

Making sure you bring the right clothing is key to ensuring you are in the right mood throughout the day. There is nothing worse than being freezing cold to ruin a perfectly lovely experience. I was terrified of this exact scenario when I was planning for my trip, so I made sure to buy warm thermals to wear to help keep that heat in. In addition to this, I bought a few 100% wool sweaters, which were perfect for keeping the heat in without overheating and making me sweat. Wool sweaters can be purchased brand new online, but also you can find them at your local thrift shop for a 10th of the price of a new one! I found some with the most amazing designs, so don’t be afraid to go digging as you might find something amazing!

Hours are odd

Although I disagree with Rick Steves about not visiting Scandinavia during the Winter, I love this quote from him, “Scandinavia’s metabolism slows down like a hibernating bear’s, and many sights and accommodations are open on a limited schedule (especially in remote fjord towns).” This is something to be aware of. Outside of the official government holidays around Christmas, I never found anything to be altogether closed. But various attractions did run on shorter winter hours. Definitely nothing to cancel your trip over just something to be aware of and plan around.

Christmas Holidays

If you’re planning on staying over the Christmas Holidays, December 24th and 25th specifically, you will want to check to see what’s open on those particular days. While I heard EVERYTHING would be closed in Sweden on Christmas day, I actually found a few museums which were still open and holding special events. I also managed to find some once a year community events to take part in while I was there that made me feel like celebrating with a huge group of new friends. So many people might tell you there will be nothing to do, but trust me, I found a bunch of things to do, you just need to dig a little bit. If you know a particular museum will be open on those government holidays, make note of that and save that activity for those days when lots of other things might be closed.

Christmas Day

I also found that attending a church service on Christmas Day was a great experience. There were plenty of services which were non-denominational if you want to enjoy the spirit of the holiday but might not identify with a particular denomination. While there are some restaurants still open on these days, I did find that the majority were closed so you might want to hit up a grocery store on the 23rd to grab some easy to make meals. If you don’t have a kitchen, you can always buy cheese and meats, which you can make into an in-hotel-room charcuterie dinner. A lot of fast food restaurants remain open on those holidays as well so that’s always a last-ditch option.

Daylight is Precious

In Scandinavia, there are only a few hours of “daylight” in the winter, and depending on how far north you’re going, this could be as short as 4 hours of light with 20 hours of darkness. While the locals might find this darkness exhausting, I actually found the long hours of darkness exciting since it wasn’t something we experience in North America. But if you’re planning on taking any photos which require the light, such as any wide cityscape shots, just be sure to plan your schedule accordingly. I always headed out early in the day to take my pictures of the city and then scheduled my indoor activities, which didn’t require sunlight, for the afternoon into the early evening.

Be Cautious with Winter Air Travel

I had a near-disastrous flight to Sweden this winter. Luckily for me, everything worked out by some Christmas miracle, but I’m sure I’m not always going to be that lucky. Flying during the winter means weather might impact you more than other times of the year. To avoid as much stress as possible, be sure to book a direct flight if at all possible. This means should your outbound flight be delayed, you won’t need to worry about missing a connection. If you can’t book direct, ensure the layover between your two flights isn’t too tight. I BARELY made my connecting flight and felt so silly, not ensuring I had more time to account for bad weather. Yes, this might mean not getting to your destination as fast as possible, but trust me, it is worth it for the peace of mind. 

Let me know if you’ve ever travelled to somewhere cold in the winter and how you enjoyed your experience. Or comment to let me know what’s holding you back from a snowy adventure in the north!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post 10 Reasons Why You Need to Take a Winter Vacation to Scandinavia first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.